Smart drugs like Modafinil, Armodafinil, Adderall. High caffeine beverages like coffee, tea, energy drinks. Smoking cigarettes, cigars, vapes. Everyone has their favorite wakefulness enhancers and supplements to help them stay more focused while working or studying. Today we’re going to focus specifically on the study pill, Modafinil. Why more and more students are turning to Modafinil to help them study better and beginner tips for taking it safely and effectively.
Universities usually demand so many exams, projects, and assignments. When all the tasks pile up, and with all the deadlines approaching, it becomes challenging to focus. Surely, you have experienced this before. Sometimes, your homework seems that it cannot be accomplished with the very little time you have for it. If only there is a way to add more hours in a day!
Another problem you might have encountered before would be concentration problems. It is tough to accomplish university requirements if you cannot concentrate at all. Of course, there are various recommended approaches to increase concentration. Time management and the removal of distractions are highly recommended. Unfortunately, this is not effective for all students.
How Students Stay Focused while Studying
Some students opt to take energy drinks or supplements to boost their wakefulness, concentration, and memory. Lots of these products are available in the market. The most common one you would see is college students with their cans of energy drinks or venti coffee drinks.
In addition to energy drinks and coffee, another well-used boost for students struggling with their school tasks is supplements. Pharmacologic intervention is sometimes a solution to their problem.
Now, you can see lots of medicines sold and advertised as memory-enhancing drugs or drugs that prevent you from drowsing off. But how do you know which is effective and safe?
In this article, you will be guided on the study drug Modafinil: a novel medicine known for its positive effects on alertness, memory, and fatigue.
Check out this article to know more about Modafinil. Hopefully, you will learn if this is the correct medicine to boost your study habits. Moreover, you can eventually understand how this can help you study better during lessons, exams, and also while chasing assignment deadlines.
What is Modafinil?
Modafinil is a drug well-known since its commercialization in 2003. This is an example of a cognitive enhancing drug used for improving attention and motivation. Likewise, it is marketed as a “waking drug“, which is commonly prescribed to patients with narcolepsy, a chronic condition of excessive sleepiness and sleep apnea. In addition to this, Modafinil is also used by healthy people for substantial effects on enhancing alertness and mitigating fatigue. Also, healthy people use this to benefit from its mood-brightening and memory-enhancing effects.
These effects have substantial evidence to back them up. Doctors prescribe them to some medical conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, memory decline due to old age, attention-deficit disorder, jet-lag treatment, and many more.
Because of these incredible effects, Modafinil is a very common non-prescription drug for students who need that extra boost of alertness and memory enhancement. Furthermore, night shift workers also benefit from this medicine. Almost anyone who needs an extra boost for staying awake for their late-night jobs or tasks can easily take in Modafinil to help them stay alert and focused.
For most cases, Modafinil is taken in 200-milligram tablets once per day. This medicine has been trendy not only because of its effects but also due to its safety. There are very few reported adverse reactions for Modafinil users. Also, very few are reported to have an addiction to it. If taken correctly, Modafinil is a very safe drug of choice!
A prominent feature of Modafinil is its lack of side effects. Most people can tolerate it very well without risks of adverse allergic reactions or other symptoms. Thus, many healthy people are urged to try it, especially if they need that extra wakefulness boost.
How Effective is Modafinil?
Your body can easily absorb the active components of Modafinil. This oral drug can reach its peak plasma concentration around two to four hours after taking it. This just means that you will feel the effects of Modafinil kicking in about two to four hours. The half-life of this medicine is approximately 12- 15 hours. Meaning, the drug stays in your body for up to 15 hours after taking it in!
In terms of effectiveness, many studies have supported it already. The most profound so far are the effects of Modafinil on narcolepsy. This neurologic condition is permanent and chronic daytime sleepiness. Modafinil is proven to promote wakefulness by stimulating specific peptides and inhibiting certain sleep inducers in your hypothalamus. We will explain how Modafinil works in your body in more detail later.
For the benefits to memory and cognition, the literature currently has different results. In a 2015 study in Europe, Modafinil did not significantly improve subjects tasked to press buttons seeing a particular color.
In contrast, other studies where they make their participants perform complex tasks after taking Modafinil exhibited better cognitive functions. Likewise, another laboratory study showed that taking 200 milligrams of Modafinil for ten days also had significantly better cognitive performance than those who did not take medicine.
Do not worry about these conflicting results. Literature suggested and concluded that individuals who are healthy and have a healthy amount of sleep do have significant memory enhancement with Modafinil.
If you are a student looking for something that can supplement memory function and something that can keep you awake long enough to finish your tasks and meet your deadlines, then Modafinil could be your medicine of choice. Let us now explore how Modafinil works in helping you study better.
How Does Modafinil Help You Study Better?
Students really need some memory boost and wakefulness. Fortunately, Modafinil does precisely that for the body. Currently, Modafinil is being used to treat illnesses related to memory impairment, such as dementia and ADHD. Moreover, Modafinil can help almost any healthy individual if they wish to work late or need extended concentration periods.
If you are a student who is looking for supplementation for memory and wakefulness, Modafinil can be one of your choices. For you to appreciate this fantastic supplement to your university life, let us explore the mechanisms on how Modafinil affects your body.
Medicines are created in a way that induces responses that help you get to your desired effect. In this case, Modafinil works at particular sites in your brain. The brain is the main organ responsible for sleepiness, memory formation, and even forgetting some memories.
Modafinil is an example of a psychostimulant. It means that this medicine’s effect revolves around stimulating your body to be more awake and alive. There are various kinds of psychostimulants in the pharmaceutical market. A classification of this is the eugeroics. The word “eugeroics” literally means good arousal. Drugs belonging to this classification include Modafinil, Adrafinil, and Ampakine.
Literature has shown that there is still no one established Modafinil mechanism. Despite scientists not knowing this, the medicine is effective. Free radicals and cellular damage can cause you to feel sleepy. Some references say that Modafinil can prevent those, hence, prevent the tired feeling.
Increasing Histamine Levels to Promote Wakefulness
In contrast, histamine is known for arousal and wakefulness. Your brain makes more histamine because of orexin. The chemical orexin found in your brain promotes wakefulness and inhibits sleepiness. These are just some chemicals in your brain which Modafinil has a direct effect on. This medicine is believed to induce your brain to make more orexin for increasing your histamine levels. This cascade of events can make you feel more awake.
Another literature suggests that Modafinil activates receptors in your brain, which induces alertness. Amplification of your serotonin is also considered a possible mechanism of this drug. Serotonin makes a person feel lively and awake.
Even though there are many different mechanisms of Modafinil as explained by various scientists, they all agree that Modafinil increases brain and memory function and increases alertness by making your body release more helpful chemicals.
With Modafinil, you can accomplish your tasks with the boosted alertness and memory-boost effect. You can expect very well that you can meet your teachers’ deadlines and you can perform your tasks better!
Precautions When Taking Modafinil to Study
Every time you use something that induces your body’s effect, you should be aware of the boundaries. It’s best to be prudent about taking any medicine. Read the label carefully. This includes the name of the drug, the dosage, and the expiration date. If you miss out on any of these details, you might be in trouble!
Also, note your time intervals when taking Modafinil. Make sure to take just enough or as prescribed by your doctor if you have a prescription.
Furthermore, Modafinil takes a few hours before taking its actual effect. You can do some tasks while waiting for it to kick in. This way, by the time you would typically feel sleepy, Modafinil will counter that already, and you will feel prolonged wakefulness.
Modafinil is a material that makes you work longer. If you take it often, you must get to sleep less. However, be cautious that sleep is essential to our health. Sleep deprivation has implications for your health, such as getting a more insufficient immune response and being more prone to infections or diseases.
Other than this, your sleep-wake cycle can be heavily burdened. Your body clock might get confused as to when you should be going to sleep or waking up. Hence, you might not feel as energized as you used to be after getting your nightly sleep.
Previous studies have shown that some population groups need to be cautious when taking Modafinil. Children and teenagers could be risky for the natural development of their brain functions. This claim is generalized to “smart drugs” such as Modafinil. The brain might not adapt and develop as correctly and could even induce drug addiction.
In conclusion, just know your limitations and make sure to get enough sleep after studying your tests or writing your assignments.
Are There Side Effects from Taking Modafinil?
Modafinil induces your body to work in a certain way to help you be alert and attentive. Besides being cautious with buying and consuming this medicine, you can also be curious about its side effects.
Common side effects of Modafinil include mild headaches, nausea, nervousness or anxiety, diarrhea, and insomnia. Moreover, since you sleep less than you usually would, your immune system, which fights off infections, can be weaker. So if you are faced with a virus, you are more susceptible to contract that disease.
It is known that Modafinil is a stimulant. It can trigger your heart to beat faster, even if you are at rest. So, if you have heart conditions, it could be prudent for you to stay away from Modafinil or consult a doctor about it.
Modafinil increases your fight or flight response. Therefore, you might feel fidgety or more anxious, similar to how you feel when you drink too much coffee. This is its effect if your body consumes too many stimulating drinks or medicines.
Since Modafinil is also a drug, it could have addictive properties. However, we currently do not have adequate data that states that people who became addicted or dependent on Modafinil.
A psychologist from the University of Cambridge stated that a normal and healthy individual would benefit from Modafinil and other memory-enhancing drugs. Some students might be worried if they will experience some side effects. However, as this psychologist said, as long as you are healthy, then the benefits of drinking Modafinil will outweigh the risks by a lot.
Tips for Taking Modafinil to Study
For students with numerous homework, exams, or reports to accomplish, one way to boost their productivity is with Modafinil. Indeed, you will be tired of those coffees or energy drinks. Now that you have understood Modafinil as a memory-enhancing and alertness-boosting medication, it is time for you to learn a few tips and tricks to taking Modafinil to study.
So here are our tips for every student out there who wants to take Modafinil to boost their productivity:
Know the Dose for You
Modafinil tablets are sold in different doses. This is because people need an additional amount depending on their needs and conditions. For example, people tend to be more sensitive to the effects of Modafinil on their bodies. Some experience a longer duration of wakefulness compared to others.
Generally, the dosage of Modafinil is based on your existing medical conditions. Like mentioned earlier, you should be wary of Modafinil if you have heart problems since this medicine can stimulate your heart to beat faster. Furthermore, the dosage is dependent on your initial response to it. If you feel like the first dose that you took did not take effect as much as you like, you can gradually build your way up to the ceiling dose of Modafinil.
Based on clinical studies, 400-milligram Modafinil is the ceiling dose that can be safely administered. However, there is no additional benefit if you take amounts greater than 200 milligrams. It would be more economical to take only up to 200 milligrams of Modafinil.
Commonly, 100-milligram and 200-milligram Modafinil tablets are being recommended especially for a boost in studying. Note that it is better to start at a lower dose so that you can get an idea of how your body responds. Suddenly taking too much can get you overwhelmed.
If you plan to use Modafinil to study, it would be nice to take 50 milligrams for four to six days per week. This is a lot better than taking 100 or 200 milligrams for just two to three days a week. With the previous regimen, you can benefit from the effects of Modafinil on more days a week. This is critical, especially if it is exam week or if you have lots of deadlines.
You can gradually build up from the 50-milligram dose. This could be one of the safest ways to take Modafinil, especially for first-time users. Just be aware of how much you are taking and immediately go to your doctor if you manifest overuse symptoms.
Take Modafinil at the Right Time
To properly take Modafinil, other than the dose, know the right time to take it. Keep in mind that the memory enhancement boost can wear off by seven to eight hours after taking a 100-milligram dose. So, schedule your intake when you can study continuously, given the amount of time before the medicine’s effect wears off. This is better if taken in the morning to review the whole day and rest at night.
You can take Modafinil with or without the initial intake of food. A common side effect, though, is an upset tummy. If you happen to experience this, try having a meal before taking your Modafinil. Just note that taking Modafinil after eating will prolong the time it takes for it to take effect.
After taking in Modafinil, begin working or studying. Do not wait for the medicine to absorb in your body entirely. You can warm up so that you are already up and reviewing your lessons when the drug starts to show its effect.
Know Important Drug Interactions
Taking Modafinil and other medicines prescribed to you by your doctor might lead to some interactions. Hormonal birth control pills have a more negligible effect if you take Modafinil simultaneously. This would increase the chances of you getting pregnant.
Also, another effect of Modafinil would be faster drug metabolism. So, some drugs might be metabolized and removed by your body faster than they usually would.
Although this is not a drug, note that caffeine-rich foods and beverages interact with Modafinil. Do not eat or drink large amounts of chocolate, coffee, teas, or colas when you have just taken Modafinil. Since they work the same way, it would feel the same as if you were to overdose on coffee, and it will not be significant to your body.
If you doubt if your medicines will have drug interactions with Modafinil, just consult your doctor. Drug interactions may seem scary, but with adequate medical supervision, you will surely be safe.
Sleeping Pattern Changes
Modafinil can keep you awake for a long time. You mustn’t take it pretty close to your bedtime unless this is your planned time to take it.
The problem with the long-term use of Modafinil is the potential damage to your sleep-wake pattern. Some students who previously used this mentioned how they often take another dose after they feel that their first dose wore off already. Be aware of this practice as you might overlook the importance of sleep.
Sleep helps us consolidate our memories. Meaning, we get to store more information while we sleep, and we can utilize them for long-term learning. Not sleeping due to taking in too much Modafinil is counterproductive, especially if you are taking it to study and retain information for your exams.
To help you minimize these problems, make sure to plan your Modafinil intake. Have some time where you have days to sleep normally.
Reminders on Eating and Drinking while Taking Modafinil
If you are very busy studying and preparing for exams, you can easily forget to eat or drink. Do not forget to eat and drink even after taking Modafinil!
Know that drugs are staying in your body. They are being processed in your liver, and eventually, your kidneys will filter them as they leave your body after taking effect. If you forget to drink enough water, you will be dehydrated, and your body will feel tired quickly. Also, dehydration can prevent your brain from picking up information that you are studying. This defeats the purpose of you taking Modafinil in the first place.
To begin with, Modafinil can make you feel like you do not need to eat or drink. This is why it is a common mistake of starving or dehydrating yourself. Also, note that eating nutritious food while studying can even boost your productivity and memory retention.
It would be undeniable that you need to avoid taking modafinil and alcohol together. Obviously, it can make you sleepy and counteract the effect of Modafinil that you want. Also, alcoholic drinks make you thirstier. So reserve drinking alcoholic beverages at a different time!
Be Wary of Modafinil Tolerance, Withdrawal, or Addiction
If you continuously take Modafinil for an extended amount of time, you will come to a time where it will not work like it used to. You can build tolerance for this medicine.
Also, another problem that you need to be aware of the chances of withdrawal. If you suddenly stop taking Modafinil after a long time, you might experience sweating, chills, or nausea, which are withdrawal symptoms. To combat the effects of withdrawal, you can ask your doctor to help you gradually decrease the dose of Modafinil that you are taking.
Lastly, be wary of Modafinil addiction. This addiction has sporadic reported cases. Regardless, to lessen your chances of having Modafinil addiction, it would be best to take small doses only.
You do not need to stress yourself too much about these Modafinil effects. Knowing the problems associated with the use of Modafinil will help you avoid them. The bottom line here would be proper consultation with a medical professional. They will be the ones to guide you and ensure that you will not be ill in taking Modafinil.
Buying Modafinil
Modafinil is commonly sold at pharmacies, and you sometimes need a doctor’s prescription to purchase some. Another way to buy Modafinil is through legitimate online stores. There are sellers of Modafinil that can give you the correct dose and authenticity.
Buying legitimate Modafinil online has been a common choice by students who use this as study aids. This has been common because Modafinil is a lot cheaper online.
When buying Modafinil, whether online or in pharmacies, always note if you are purchasing the right one. Check the name and brand of the medicine. Ensure that it is not tampered with and that you can see the dosage you bought. Moreover, it would help if you also were keen on the expiration dates. An expired drug will do you more harm than good. Most importantly, make sure that you are buying authentic and legitimate Modafinil.
Wrapping Things Up: Should You Take Modafinil to Study?
The current academic environment places a lot of burden on the students. An educational environment that sets heavy deadlines and requirements for the students is prevalent. Teachers from universities just give too many deadlines, which sometimes pile up at the end of the semester.
As students, you cannot help but think of ways to help you study better.
Because of this circumstance, students tend to demand memory-enhancing and wakefulness medicines as boosts for their all-nighters. Modafinil is a novel drug well-known for its effectiveness in helping students review and stay up all night.
You might be scared about the side effects that you have been reading about Modafinil. Or any associated risks like tolerance, overdose, and withdrawal. However, just know that as a healthy individual, you can get the full benefits of Modafinil. These benefits surely outweigh the risks presented in this article.
Like any other medicines, you need to consult your doctor before taking Modafinil to improve your focus when studying. Moreover, your doctor will be able to assess your overall health condition before and after taking Modafinil. Rest assured, Modafinil is a well-studied medicine, and it is very safe with minimal cases of adverse side effects when used.